Badin vs. Versailles
Law Enforcement Memorial Day
American Idol 2012 finale
Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > March > 14 > Entry
Jolivette speaks cutting local governement funds
Former Butler County Commissioner Greg Jolivette — who is considering a run at his old state representative seat — hopes fellow Republican Gov. John Kasich will take it easy on local government funds when his budget is released on Tuesday.
“I’m very concerned what the governor is going to be proposing for the local government funds. The whole county receives about $14 million to $15 million, and the county government receives about $4.4 million. If the governor is proposing to cut that — and rumors say that he’ll cut half this year and all of it by next year — there will be a tremendous cut to services, and also to all other cities and townships in the county.”
Jolivette said he’ll be writing to his state representative and state senator to battle against cutting the local government fund — or at least salvage as much as they can.
“Legislators need to protect the local government fund as much as possible, but at the very least have (the cuts) phased in over a number of years so that entities can absorb it into their budgets. I would propose it wouldn’t take effect until next year and phase in from that.”
Local legislators’ “top priority” should be protecting the local government funds, he said.
“I’m not sure what ramifications will have (for local communities) but it’s certainly going to be a very drastic measure,” he said. “It’s got to put the burden somewhere on those communities to provide the services we’ve come to expect.
“It’s nice we can send our money to Columbus so a good portion of it comes back. But now our money’s going to be going to Columbus and not coming back. It’s not acceptable to me.”
Many local governments rely on local governments for the majority of their budgets. To not rely on the local government funds as much, Jolivette wants the county to use its marketing strength through a proposal he’s pitched before.
“The county, we need to focus more on economic development because the county’s sales tax revenues have been reduced as other counties around us have seen an increase,” he said.
“I’m not seeing the increase, which means purchasing dollars are leaving the county,” he added, saying he attempted to spearhead an effort — ‘Buy Butler County’ — that didn’t get the needed support.
“We need to look at our efforts to increase attractiveness to our residents and others outside of the county to leave their purchasing dollars inside the county.”
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, State House of Representatives, Statewide issues
Tweet
Comments
By Career Politician
March 15, 2011 6:31 AM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Jolivette for your concern on funding. Now that you have voiced your opinion, please continue running your root beer stand and stay out of politics. You are making a career out of it. Your first mistake happened years ago when you sold out and went Republican just to get elected. If the Dems were popular and you were a Repub at the time, you would have gone the other way-just to get elected. You have no credibility in SW Ohio anymore. Do us a favor. Stay off the ballot.
By nullFairy Tail
March 15, 2011 7:33 AM | Link to this
I totally agree with C.P. above. Whom would you trade your seat with should you get elected? Good try going public with that self serving letter.I do like your root beers.
By Matt
March 15, 2011 9:14 AM | Link to this
Hey, how about giving your workers a raise in wages! Yea Right
By big bear
March 15, 2011 10:00 AM | Link to this
The three above comments are from obviously very well informed, bright and intelligent citizens who pay attention.
By Not So Jolly
March 15, 2011 4:12 PM | Link to this
Wake up Jolly, Sheriff Jones and Don Dixon (who took you out of the county commission) already have someone picked for that State Representatives seat.